Access 2 All Areas was set up over a decade ago in Salford to improve access for people with a variety of disabilities.
“Our membership covers the entire spectrum,” Secretary Andy Roberts told SalfordOnline.com.
“Our chairman is registered blind, we’ve got learning-disabled members, those who suffer hearing loss, and wheelchair users to name just a few.”
Council worker Andy, 54, was inspired to join Access 2 All Areas after a heartbreaking encounter with an elderly couple in Manchester city centre.
“I was out shopping when I noticed this woman struggling desperately to get her husband’s wheelchair into a restaurant.
“They were being helped by staff but it was so sad to see her grappling with the lip of the door which was too high to lift the chair over.
“It’s the simple things which make the biggest difference.”
The group carry out regular audits of public buildings, libraries, swimming pools and green spaces to make sure they’ve open and available for everyone to use.
“You’d be surprised just what our members tell us. We’ve had some great successes in recent years, including Tindall Street allotments in Peel Green, Eccles.
“After an audit there, we managed to arrange raised beds and proper paths that could fit wheelchairs down, and in the end the allotment ended up being awarded the prestigious Green Pennant status.”
Watch: Inside Tindall Street allotments as group win national award
“We’ve just finished a series of audits at bowling greens – and you would not believe the accessibility problems, especially given its a sport normally played by older people.
“Some of them are really archaic, like stone stepped areas up to the clubhouse – there was even one with a moat around the green! And that’s if wheelchair users are even allowed on the green in the first place.
“The money should help to sustain us over the next 12 months as we to push for as many places in Salford to be open and available to everyone.”
